Hetalia: International Mansion

by DragonSoulH

After the death of a wealthy British Countess, her multinational staff of servants must learn how to get along with her quirky American heiress or face losing their jobs. This is especially hard for the mansion's head-butler, Arthur Kirkland, who must not only deal with the ongoing arguments between the staff members but also deal with his own dislike of Americans... (AU)

1. Chapter 1: Arrival

Chapter 1: Arrival

It all started with the will of a crazy old lady.

The Countess Goldstone, much beloved by her friends but not so much by her household staff, passed after 94 years on this earth. She left behind a substantial estate and a will on how it should be disbursed.

Of particular concern to her staff was the passage on their salaries: "Unless the servants remain in the employment of my heir for six months' time, their retirement pensions shall hereby be revoked and returned to my estate."

They all wondered if her heir would really be so bad.

(one month later)

As the limo pulled up to the front steps of Goldstone Manor, Arthur Kirkland tried his best to swallow his apprehension. He'd been dreading this day - it was the arrival of the new Countess from America. He had no idea what to expect, he only knew that nothing good could possibly come from an American Goldstone.

But there was no procrastinating now. He strode down to the shiny black door and reached for the handle. In one well-practiced move he opened it and bowed low. "Welcome, Countess Goldstone. It's a pleasure to have you here."

"Hey, thanks man."

Arthur's head snapped up. That sounded like -

"YOU GIT!" he shrieked. Instead of the young American woman he expected, it was his cousin Alfred Jones! That - muscle-bound, empty-headed, junk food-bingeing Yank!

"Dude! Keep it down or you'll wake Rosie!"

Alfred looked over his shoulder and Arthur glanced past him. Deep in the shadowy confines of the limo there was a girl in jeans and a T-shirt curled up asleep. The new Countess Goldstone.

"Dude, I know what you're thinking but don't worry. I'll carry her for you."

Alfred pushed past Arthur and walked around to the other side of the car. And before Arthur could stop him he reached in and scooped up the new Countess. She didn't wake and instead just snuggled down into his arms.

Arthur's first look at her didn't fill him with confidence. The bottoms of her jeans were tattered and her T-shirt was a wild, psychedelic swirl of colors and patterns. Her short, choppy hair was dyed violet to match her black-and-violet sneakers.

"Okay, dude, show me to the bedroom!"

"I beg your pardon!"

"What? I can't leave her on the floor, man. That's rude."